Hello Aspirants.
Welcome to Online English Section with explanation in AffairsCloud.com. Here we are providing here some important idioms and phrases, which is BASED ON IBPS PO/CLERK/LIC AAO/RRB & SSC CGL EXAM and other competitive exams.
1. Keep a straight face – a blank or serious facial expression, especially when trying not to laugh.
Example – She tried to keep a straight face but, unable to contain herself, burst into laughter.
2. Jump out of one’s skin –be extremely startled.
Example – Oh! You really scared me. I nearly jumped out of my skin.
3. Go the whole hog – do something completely or thoroughly.
Example – I went whole hog and had a huge steak and French fries.
4. Put a spoke in one’s wheel – prevent someone from carrying out a plan.
Example – Tell him you’re using the car that weekend – that should put a spoke in his wheel.
5. Queer fish – a person whose behaviour seems strange or unusual.
Example –they have invariably chosen the queer fish in preference to the more or less recognizable member of the human race.
6. Clinch the issue – to clear the controversy
Example – the minister clinched the issue by accepting the genuine demand of the students.
7. Get a handle on – to understand something
Example –We need to get a handle on what caused the fire and what can be done to prevent another one.
8. For a song – very cheaply
Example – No one else wanted it, so I picked it up for a song.
9. Bid fair to – seem likely to
Example –I think that he clearly has participated strongly in the formulation of what bids fair to be a successful campaign.
10. Hale and hearty – healthy and strong (especially of old people)
Example – Her grandfather was hale and hearty, walking five miles each day before breakfast.
11. A bed of roses – Full of joy and pleasures
Example – She found that taking care of old parents was not a bed of roses.
12. A big shot – An important person
Example – By now, news that Pope Francis has fired yet another Vatican big shot is hardly shocking.
13. A blessing in disguise – Good outcome from evil situation
Example – “My car broke down again, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise; I’ve been wasting too much time driving around anyway.”
14. A blind alley – A job which has no prospects
Example – That line of questioning led the attorney up yet another blind alley.
